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Edmonton is fixing to light up for the holidays with sales, sleigh rides, visits from Santa and at least one brand new festival.
Experiencing it all might be impossible, but with this guide to help you, it may only be improbable.
The Edmonton Downtown Business Association is pretty elfing excited about its new event, the inaugural Downtown Winterval, to be held on 104 Street Dec. 1 and 2. It’s a shift for the festivities held along Rice Howard Way last year.
A news release promises “free outdoor concerts, festive and cultural activities, free horse-drawn sleigh rides, an indoor Christmas market, an outdoor beer garden and more.”
As Puneeta McBryan, CEO of the EDBA puts it, December represents “one of the most critical times of the year for our small businesses. Winter events like Downtown Winterval support Edmonton’s Winter City Strategy and encourage Edmontonians to get outside during the winter, have fun, connect with one another, and support small and local businesses with their holiday spending.”
The party starts Dec. 1 with free performances by Juno Award-nominated artists Jamie Fine and Rich Aucoin on the Winterval main stage. Vancouver alt-rock band Rare Americans will headline Dec. 2, buttressed by performances by local musicians and cultural arts organizations.
But don’t just stick to the stage, wander down 104 Avenue to find other highlights, such as:
- A kid-focused Christmas party at Rocky Mountain Icehouse featuring Santa Claus
- Free arcade games and food specials at Home & Away
- A dog-friendly “Pawliday Party” at Fawkes Coffee Shop
- Caribbean Christmas celebrations at the Jamaican Association of Northern Alberta
- A free crafting workshop with Alberta Craft Council
- A pop-up indoor Christmas market featuring downtown businesses and locally made gifts and treats, operated by the Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market
